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Entropy

Quantum Image Encryption Based on Quantum DNA Codec and Pixel-Level Scrambling

Jie Gao, Yinuo Wang, Zhaoyang Song, Shumei Wang

Published May 29, 2023• 30 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In order to increase the security and robustness of quantum images, this study combined the quantum DNA codec with quantum Hilbert scrambling to offer an enhanced quantum image encryption technique. Initially, to accomplish pixel-level diffusion and create enough key space for the picture, a quantum DNA codec was created to encode and decode the pixel color information of the quantum image using its special biological properties. Second, we used quantum Hilbert scrambling to muddle the image position data in order to double the encryption effect. In order to enhance the encryption effect, the altered picture was then employed as a key matrix in a quantum XOR operation with the original image. The inverse transformation of the encryption procedure may be used to decrypt the picture since all the quantum operations employed in this research are reversible. The two-dimensional optical image encryption technique presented in this study may significantly strengthen the anti-attack of quantum picture, according to experimental simulation and result analysis. The correlation chart demonstrates that the average information entropy of the RGB three channels is more than 7.999, the average NPCR and UACI are respectively 99.61% and 33.42%, and the peak value of the ciphertext picture histogram is uniform. It offers more security and robustness than earlier algorithms and can withstand statistical analysis and differential assaults.

DOI
10.3390/e25060865

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In order to increase the security and robustness of quantum images, this study combined the quantum DNA codec with quantum Hilbert scrambling to offer an enhanced quantum image encryption technique. Initially, to accomplish pixel-level diffusion and create enough key space for the picture, a quantum DNA codec was created to encode and decode the pixel color information of the quantum image using its special biological properties. Second, we used quantum Hilbert scrambling to muddle the image position data in order to double the encryption effect. In order to enhance the encryption effect, the altered picture was then employed as a key matrix in a quantum XOR operation with the original image. The inverse transformation of the encryption procedure may be used to decrypt the picture since all the quantum operations employed in this research are reversible. The two-dimensional optical image encryption technique presented in this study may significantly strengthen the anti-attack of quantum picture, according to experimental simulation and result analysis. The correlation chart demonstrates that the average information entropy of the RGB three channels is more than 7.999, the average NPCR and UACI are respectively 99.61% and 33.42%, and the peak value of the ciphertext picture histogram is uniform. It offers more security and robustness than earlier algorithms and can withstand statistical analysis and differential assaults.
Abstract In the field of Internet, an image is of great significance to information transmission. Meanwhile, how to ensure and improve its security has become the focus of international research. We combine DNA codec with quantum Arnold transform (QArT) to propose a new double encryption algorithm for quantum color images to improve the security and robustness of image encryption. First, we utilize the biological characteristics of DNA codecs to perform encoding and decoding operations on pixel color information in quantum color images, and achieve pixel-level diffusion. Second, we use QArT to scramble the position information of quantum images and use the operated image as the key matrix for quantum XOR operations. All quantum operations in this paper are reversible, so the decryption operation of the ciphertext image can be realized by the reverse operation of the encryption process. We conduct simulation experiments on encryption and decryption using three color images of “Monkey”, “Flower”, and “House”. The experimental results show that the peak value and correlation of the encrypted images on the histogram have good similarity, and the average normalized pixel change rate (NPCR) of RGB three-channel is 99.61%, the average uniform average change intensity (UACI) is 33.41%, and the average information entropy is about 7.9992. In addition, the robustness of the proposed algorithm is verified by the simulation of noise interference in the actual scenario.
Ensuring patient secrecy and maintaining data integrity are critical in healthcare information security. With increasing demands for stronger protection in the management and storage of medical images, this study introduces an innovative framework utilizing chaos-based quantum encryption for enhanced security. This approach combines a DNA codec with the QFBT (Quantum Fibonacci Transform), creating a unique dual-encryption method for quantum color images. The process begins with converting a standard color image to quantum data through GQIR (Generalized Quantum Image Representation) technique. A DNA codec then encodes and decodes the pixel color data of the quantum image, achieving pixel-level diffusion. Finally, the QFBT is applied to scramble the image's spatial data. The resulting transformed image is then used as the key matrix in quantum XOR functions. Findings from the experiment indicate that both the correlation and peak value of the encrypted image histograms show strong similarity. The mean NPCR (Normalized Pixel Change Rate) for the RGB channels is 99.63%, while UACI (Uniform Average Change Intensity) is 33.43%. Additionally, the mean information entropy is approximately 7.9992. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of QDIES in providing robust security for medical image data.
Given the limitations of current classic image encryption algorithms and the unconditional security characteristics of quantum key distribution protocols, the author proposes an image encryption method based on quantum key distribution and pixel scrambling. The author first analyzed the security issues of quantum image encryption algorithms based on image scrambling methods, namely that image scrambling methods have periodicity, which can ensure that the image can be restored after scrambling. If an image cannot be guaranteed to return to its original state after performing scrambling operations, legitimate users cannot obtain the secret information in the original image, and image scrambling loses its original meaning; However, the periodicity of image scrambling methods not only ensures that legitimate users can decrypt images, but also provides convenience for attackers to steal original image information. Secondly, it is pointed out that when evaluating and analyzing quantum image encryption algorithms, the evaluation indicators should include two parts: One is performance analysis, which is the analysis of the network complexity of quantum circuits. In quantum computing, the network complexity of quantum circuits is usually represented by the number of quantum basic logic gates. The second is security analysis, which mainly includes key analysis (including key space size and key sensitivity analysis), statistical analysis (including pixel correlation, histogram analysis, information fusion, and scatter plot distribution density analysis). Finally, experimental simulations have shown that the NPCR values of the plaintext and ciphertext images of the three images tend to 100%. The encrypted image histogram is evenly distributed, with very weak pixel correlation and high pixel change rate and information entropy.
The rapid advancement in consumer technology has led to an exponential increase in the connected devices, resulting in an enormous and continuous flow of data, particularly the image data. This data needs to be processed, managed, and secured efficiently, especially in the quantum-enabled consumer technology era. This paper, in this regards, presents a quantum image encryption scheme featuring a novel two-phase chaotic confusion-diffusion architecture. The proposed architecture consists of four distinct confusion-diffusion modules that perform a simultaneous qubit and pixel-level encryption on both the position and intensity of quantum encoded pixels. Moreover, quantum circuits for′^{\prime }′qubit-level chaotic transformation′^{\prime }′and′^{\prime }′chaos-based selective perfect shuffle operation′^{\prime }′have been implemented, which collectively enhance the encryption strength of the proposed scheme. Extensive evaluation has been performed based on various statistical security parameters, such as entropy and correlation. When subjected to differential attacks, the proposed scheme proved its resilience exhibiting ideal results of average 99.6% NPCR (Number of Pixels Change Rate) and 33.5% UACI (Unified Average Changing Intensity). Besides, the proposed scheme also demonstrated resilience against occlusion attacks. Tests involving 50% data occlusion from encrypted images validated the proposed scheme’s capability to successfully decrypt the tampered images, recovering maximum information.
Images are important data carriers because, compared to text data, they are harder to transfer or store securely and include higher volumes and redundancies of digital data. Images can be shielded against a variety of risks with security, including eavesdropping and illegal copying and alteration. Because of the potential quantum risk to the existing cryptographic encryption methods and the quick advancement towards the development of quantum computers, quantum image encryption algorithms have recently drawn increasing amounts of attention. The majority of quantum image encryption techniques such as diffusion and scrambling, involve two separate rounds. In this model, the three different chaotic maps are used separately for scrambling the images to determine the performance of the quantum image cryptography with different combination of the model. At first, the hash256 algorithm is used for generating the quantum key and the forward diffusion takes place for diffusing the first pixel to final pixel of the input image information. Then, the three different chaotic maps such as pixel permutation, Chen attractor and Lorenz attractor are used for scrambling the input image. Finally, the bit-level permutation and backward diffusion process are considered for the scrambled image. For evaluating the performance of the quantum image cryptography based on the three different chaotic maps, the NPCR, UACI, Entropy, SSIM, correlation characteristics and histogram analysis are determined. The attained NPCR, UACI, Entropy and SSIM of the CASIA2 dataset for Lorenz attractor are improved than the pixel permutation and Chen attractor. Thus, from the attained values, the Quantum Image Cryptography Based on Continuous Chaotic Map such as Lorenz attractor performs better for the statistical and differential analysis than the other chaotic maps.
In order to enhance the security of encrypted images, a new quantum image encryption algorithm is proposed. This algorithm combines Chen's hyper-chaotic system with Double-random Phase Encoding (DRPE). The pixel values of the original quantum image are diffused using DRPE, while the pixel positions are scrambled through Cyclic Translation (CT). The hyper-chaotic sequences generated by Chen's hyper-chaotic system control the scrambling and diffusion operations. Numerical simulations and theoretical analyses have shown that this algorithm is highly effective in resisting illegal attacks. The encrypted image generated by this algorithm exhibits lower pixel correlation and more evenly distributed histogram. Overall, the proposed algorithm represents a robust and secure approach for image encryption